Amy Kitcher holds Merthyr's first ever 'Youth Surgery'

4.59.34pm GMT Fri 8th Jan 2010

Amy Kitcher believes it is important to engage with young people

Councillor Amy Kitcher is trying a new approach to engaging young people and representing their views by holding the borough's first ever youth advice surgeries.

Amy Kitcher said, "There are lots of young people living in Merthyr who feel that their opinion doesn't matter because they are not old enough to vote. I don't agree with that and I think it is important to listen to young people about the issues they care about."

Amy, who is one of the youngest councillors in Merthyr, added, "Maybe it is because I am still in my 20's that I see the importance of giving young people an ear and, hopefully, a voice.

"Young people have already come to me with their concerns about the closure of local sixth forms and lack of suitable play equipment in the borough. I hope that by giving young people a regular, dedicated opportunity to discuss local issues it will encourage even more to come forward."

Amy will also be using modern techniques for advertising the advice surgeries too like Twitter and Facebook in a hope to reach out to more young people than every before. The surgery will take place every 3rd Saturday of the month at 11.15am - 12.30pm in the Rhydycar Cafe in Merthyr Leisure Centre. Anybody from Merthyr under the age of 21 is welcome to attend.

Rhys Jones, 19, from Dowlais said, "I think the idea of a youth advice surgery is a good one. Young people have just as much right to their councillor's time as other people but we often get forgotten about. I hope more councillors will do the same."